
Portugal Guide
Portugal – country information
Country name | Portugal |
Official name | Portuguese Republic |
Capital | Lisbon |
Continent | Europe |
Area | 91,982 km2 |
Population | 10,487,289 (2012) |
Foundation of a state | 1/1/1143 |
The highest mountains | on the island of Pico 2,320 m, Estrela 1,991 m |
Longest rivers | Tagus 910 km (225 km in the country), Douro 720 km (275 km in the country) |
State system | a pluralist republic with a unicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | Lisboa (capital) 850,000 (agglomeration 2 million), Porto 350,000 (agglomeration 1.4 million), Amadora 125,000 |
Official language | Portuguese |
Ethnicity/National Composition | Portuguese 99%, Cape Verdeans 0.3% |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholics 95%, other Christians 1.5%, no religion 3.5% |
Currency | 1 euro = 100 cents |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$23,047 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 77.70 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture and fishing 6%, mining and industry 29%, construction 7.5%, services 57.5% |
Portugal – Neighboring States
State | Capital | Area | Population |
Spain | Madrid | 505,992 km2 | 46,609,700 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Portugal occupies the western part of the Iberian (Iberian) Peninsula in southwestern Europe between the Atlantic Ocean and Spain. Its territory also includes the islands of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic.
Country data
Location: Western Europe
Time zone: CET – 1
Total area: 92,090 km²
Land area: 91,470 km²
Water area: 620 km²
Length of the state border: 1,214 km
including: Spain: 1,214 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Capital: Lisbon
Districts: 20
Aveiro, Azores, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Madeira, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Electric current: 220 V / 50 Hz
Telephone code: 00 351 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Ponta do Pico (in the Azores) 2,351 m
Population
Population: approx. 10.8 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 0.1% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 117
Life expectancy: 76 (male), 82 (female)
Official language: Portuguese
Religions:
- 81% Roman Catholic
- 19% other
Climate
In the north there is an Atlantic climate. The humidity is very high and there is a lot of rain (especially in the winter months).
Southern Portugal has a warm Mediterranean climate. The summer months are warm (20-25 ° C) and dry. During the winter months it is cool with temperatures of around 10-16 ° C.
Currency / finance
Currency unit: € / Euro (EUR)
Division: 1 € = 100 cents
ATMs: Available in many cities.
International credit cards: These are accepted by many hotels and shops.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.
From an equivalent value of 10,000 euros, all amounts of money carried must be declared.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Travel advice
There is currently no country-specific safety notice for Portugal.
Economy
Portugal is one of the largest cork producers in the world and exports it to many countries outside of the European Union.
Although around two thirds of the population work in agriculture, this area is only marginally efficient. Mainly potatoes, corn, tomatoes and wheat are grown.
Industries: building materials, chemistry, fishing, wood processing, agriculture, food production, textiles, tourism
Natural resources: iron ores, fish, wood, farmland, uranium, hydropower
Land use:
- Land: 26%
- Grain cultivation: 9%
- Pasture area: 9%
- Forests: 36%
- other: 20%
Azores
The Azores is an autonomous region in Portugal. The region occupies an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.
The administrative center is Ponta Delgada. The official language is Portuguese.
The name of the islands comes from the Portuguese word “azures” – meaning “blue” or “azure”.
The climate is subtropical maritime. Temperature in winter +19*C, in summer +25*C. Water temperature +20*С.
Resorts and attractions of the Azores
It is an archipelago of 9 volcanic islands. The Azores lie in the center of the Atlantic Ocean, 900 km. off the coast of Portugal. It is said that the first Azores were discovered in 1427, but this fact is disputed. There is a belief that the island of Corvo was known to the Carthaginians as far back as 3000 BC. e.
Those who love a relaxing holiday should visit the Azores. Here you will come into contact with pristine nature, there is no modern infrastructure and luxurious five-star hotels. Beautiful weather, volcanic beaches and delicious local food await you.